Osamu Tezuka

Osamu Tezuka was a Japanese manga artist, animator, and medical doctor born in Toyonaka, Osaka. He earned a medical degree from Osaka University but devoted his career to comics and animation, drawing on his scientific knowledge to enrich his storytelling.

Tezuka published his first major work, New Treasure Island, in 1947, helping launch the postwar manga boom in Japan. His most recognized creation, Astro Boy, debuted in 1952 and became the basis for Japan's first domestically produced animated television series in 1963. Other major works include Black Jack, Phoenix, Princess Knight, Kimba the White Lion, and Buddha.

His complete body of work spans over 700 volumes totaling more than 150,000 pages. Tezuka also founded the animation studio Mushi Production, which pioneered TV anime production in Japan. He is widely referred to as the "God of Manga" for his lasting impact on the art form and the Japanese comics industry.